Drivers that step on the gas pedal in an attempt to make a fast getaway from police will get a hefty fine under a new measure authorized in Oswego.
The Oswego Village Board recently approved an ordinance changing the municipal code to institute a $750 administrative fee on motorists who flee or attempt to elude police during traffic stops.
The Oswego Police Department has seen a rise in the number of drivers who flee or attempt to elude police officers since 2020, Oswego Police Chief Jason Bastin has said.
“Staff researched the residency of violators, as requested by the board. There have been 26 violators in the last five years. Only three of the violators were Oswego residents,” Bastin said in a report to trustees.
These types of traffic offenses are not unique to Oswego, the police chief said. An increase in drivers who flee or attempt to elude police has been documented in the region, across the state and nationally, he told trustees.
The number of high-speed chases seems to have increased as police agencies have adopted a more restrictive pursuit policy intended to ensure the safety of the public, Bastin has said.
“I am not saying the two are directly related, but there is a strong correlation between adoption of these policies and a rise in the number of vehicles that flee or attempt to elude police,” Bastin previously said.
“We turn on our lights, and the person takes off. I think the idea may be in the public’s mindset now that there’s a good chance police will not chase them,” Bastin said.
The $750 administrative fee is meant to help offset the financial impact these incidents place on the village and may deter dangerous behavior, officials have said. The amount of the fee is based on the time and resources required to prosecute these cases, Bastin said.
“Besides the financial impact, if there is a mindset that there are no repercussions now when you run from police, we want to add as many repercussions as possible,” he said.
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
